Why this course?
In this course, we offer you the chance to develop knowledge of the education systems of Scotland and beyond, looking at issues including policy, social justice, equity and inclusion. You'll have the opportunity to put theory into practice in a community placement and enhance your employability.
Combining education with other subjects provides opportunities for those who wish to work in professions associated with education, but who don't wish necessarily to become teachers. Please note that this course doesn't allow you to qualify as a teacher, though joint honours Education graduates will be able to explore postgraduate routes into teaching careers (via the PGDE).
We also offer some of the best teaching in Human Resource Management (HRM) in both Scotland and the UK.
HRM is about the relationship between employers and employees and the ways in which people are managed in the workplace. This covers areas such as recruitment and selection, training and developing and managing conflict at work. These are an important part of the management process in all organisations.
What you’ll study
Education
Year 1
Education issues explored include the impact of poverty and social class on children and society, the role of culture and community in education, how people learn and the place of policy and politics in education. You'll undertake a placement with children between the ages of 0-14.
Year 2
In second year, you’ll look more closely at what education means and how people learn. You’ll study how children learn from before they are born to learning in later life. You’ll also learn about education beyond the classroom as well as having the opportunity to study an education-focused module of your choice
Year 3
This year, you will explore adult education with an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge within a community placement. You will also engage more deeply in educational research which will set you up for engaging in a research project in your final year.
Year 4
As a fourth-year student, you will have considerable choice in your study modules. For example, you can look at policy and politics in education in relation to broader social issues such as gender, race, disability, and poverty, or educational representations in film and literature.
Work placement
As part of the first year in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, all students choosing to study education must undertake a placement. This placement involves working with children between the ages of 0 to 14 for 70 hours across the course of the year and can be in a range of options other than a mainstream primary school setting.
Please read our important information about the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme. This is for all applicants applying for courses which involve placement opportunities (working with children or vulnerable adults).
Major projects
Students enjoy a wide range of professional development opportunities. These might be ones run by students or by organisations that are invited in to speak with students.
Currently, we have leading professional development opportunities like learning British Sign Language, anti-sectarian education, and working with children abroad.
You'll have the opportunity to lead some professional development for staff and students if you have a particular strength or expertise relevant to education. There are also extra-curricular education activities such as a philosophy café and film group.
Dissertation
Within the joint Honours in Education, you’ll be able to undertake a dissertation that allows you to do research in an area of particular interest to you.
Facilities
You'll have access to the Education Resources Centre. The Education Resources Centre is a library dedicated to education materials and is the best resource of its kind in the country.
Human Resource Management
Year 1
The introductory class – Managing People – provides an overview of HRM.
Years 2 & 3
Core classes cover more in-depth HRM theories and techniques. Year 2 focuses on workplace behaviour from an organisational psychology point of view. Year 3 focuses on more sociological theories. Options include classes in employee development and equality and diversity.
Year 4
You’ll study a range of specialist classes at single or joint Honours.
Study abroad
In year 3 you'll have the opportunity to study in Europe, North America and elsewhere for one or two semesters.
Student competitions
The Peter Bain Prize is awarded each year to the student with the highest mark for their dissertation.
The HRM Society
The HRM Society is run by our students for our students. It aims to bring together all year groups into one network where they can share knowledge and practice, awareness of careers and build relationships with alumni and employers.
Learning & teaching
Education
You'll take part in workshops for practical aspects of the course, and have access to lab space and specialist teaching space for science and the expressive arts, including physical education. Field trips and the chance to study elective and optional classes are also available to students.
Throughout the degree programme, you'll be invited to lectures by guest speakers that are visiting the School of Education. They'll also be invited to lectures specifically for Education students. As part of the work on professional development, you'll have the opportunity to organise guest speakers from relevant organisations to speak with students. The School of Education aims to be responsive to the interests of its students as well as ensuring that they have access to leading educationists when they visit.
Human Resource Management
Teaching is given over two semesters in blocks of 12 weeks each. Methods include lectures, tutorials and seminars. As a student, you'll take part in team-based projects and make use of online teaching materials. Our industrial partners regularly assist in teaching and the assessment of student presentations.
Assessment
Education
In first year, you're supported in learning about academic reading, writing and referencing - skills that will help you become a successful undergraduate. Peer support encourages students to develop their own assessment skills and learn from each other. During the course, tutorials and presentations will be assessed and feedback will be provided before you submit work for formal assessment.
Human Resource Management
The majority of classes are assessed by a final, unseen, exam in addition to one or more forms of individual and/or group coursework. In some cases, you can earn an exemption from the exam by achieving a specified coursework mark. Exams are normally held at the end of the semester in which the class is taught.
You normally have one opportunity to be re-assessed for a failed class.
Course content
Year 1Education
- Understanding Education in the 21st Century
- Placement & Curriculum
Human Resource Management
- Managing People
Year 2
Education
- Learners & Learning
- Informal Education
Human Resource Management
- Work Psychology
- Work Psychology for Human Resource Management
Year 3
Education
- Educational Encounters Past & Present
- History & Philosophy of Education
- Children & Childhood
- Social Pedagogy with Adults
Human Resource Management
- Work, Employment & Society
- Employment Relations
Year 4
Education
#Compulsory classes
- Educational Representation in Film & Literature
- Dissertation
* Scholarships available for International students.
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